Reddy launches world bio-energy meet

The International Bioenergy Summit was inaugurated by Union Science & Technology Minister S Jaipal Reddy in New Delhi on Monday.

The two-day conclave of experts and policymakers is being held to help create a road map for innovative technologies and policies for biofuels development in India over the next five years. It has been organised by Department of Biotechnology and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

The participants include scientists from the USA, France, Belgium, Malaysia, and South Africa and has 10 eminent international speakers.

Delivering the inaugural address, Reddys aid, 'There is no denying the fact that the country is facing some serious challenges in food and nutrition, health care, energy and environment. To meet these mounting challenges, science and technology can play a crucial role in developing an instrumental framework both nationally and internationally. Innovation requires institutional framework and adequate human resources, in order to succeed we need to strengthen and redesign to move towards progress in product development.'

He added, 'We need to accelerate our global efforts that will immensely help us in the economic and social development of our country. The best of modern technology should be harnessed for a sustainable future and ensuring some tangible outcome’.

The minister also released The Bioenergy Road Map: Vision 2020 of Department of Biotechnology.

Speaking on the occasion, DBT Secretary and BIRAC Chairman M K Bhan said, 'We should use our science and engineering base and our industry strength to create an innovation nation for bioenergy for sustainable future.'

Bhan emphasised the need for redesigning new Institutional mechanisms for forthcoming innovation and public private partnerships (PPPs). 'I am hopeful this summit will witness some intelligent discussions, feedback and chalk out the way forward for cutting edge research in the field of algae and synthetic biology for biofuels,' he added.